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]>> Russia's Ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Cherkin died suddenly at work in New York on Monday. Cherkin was reportedly rushed to New York's Presbyterian Hospital Monday morning after suffering cardiac arrest at the Russian mission to the UN where he worked. Russian Foreign Ministry giving no details on the circumstances of his death.

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But offered condolences to his relatives, and said the diplomat had died one day before his 65th birthday. Churkin was an aggressive defender of Russian policy, who often gave passionate speeches at the UN.>> Earlier this month, he argued against criticism from US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley.

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Over the recent surge of violence in Eastern Ukraine and late last year he condemned the closing of compounds in New York and Maryland that houses Russian diplomats and their families. Part of the Obama administrations sanctions against Russia for intervening in the U.S. election.>> I think it's quite scandalous that they chose to go after our kids, you know.

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>> Russian news agencies, quoting President Vladimir Putin as saying he was deeply upset by the news, and had greatly valued Churkin's professionalism, and diplomatic talent.>>